Mine arrived today too. Got the same tripod and head. Put my TV Ranger ( which just came Friday ) on it, set it outside just before dusk. Thought I'd get a quick look at Jupiter to try things out. The clouds rolled in and it started snowing ! It figures, three new items ... it will probably be poor skies for me for a month !

Thanks for the heads up on the Blem deal, I just opened mine up and have yet to find the blemish/s, but maybe my standards are too low.
I needed a sturdy tripod for photograghy and maybe build some mods so it will fit the Voyager head, also the e/p tray for the Voyager/Portamount fits this like a glove.
I think I'll make and stain a nice Appleply or Baltic Birch tray to match the tripod
Also got the Bogen 501HDV head to round out the purchase.
m2

With the mod I'll make to use the Voyager and or Porta's head on this tripod will really be a good deal as this tripod just might be a tad more sturdy than the one GTO makes and has been used for these mounts and at this price I had to have one. The trays I'll make will hopefully have a side or rim so stuff won't roll off and no holes should it be used for other purposes and then have seperate one for eyepieces as well. I'll be stopping by the local wood dealer on Monday to pick up some material<G> Like Curly said,,, I can hardly wait. m2

Oberwerk is in Ohio. Shipping for the tripod to me in Wisconsin was $13.

I have gotten mine out under the stars a number of times now and like it alot. Very sturdy. The blems are not very noticeable and the unit is still attractive also. At $75 plus shipping, it was money well spent. I also had a head shipped along with it and there were no added shipping charges to do that. I ordered over the phone toll free and service was friendly and helpful.

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Why wait till Monday when I had some nice enough plywood to make a tray today.
I "just" happened to have stain that was "almost" the same as tripod legs so here it is.
Just need to go get some cheap foam brushes to put the poly on.
m2

I just got one of these and it's very nice. Only "blem" I could find was a slight (1/32" deep) indentation about 3 inches long on one of the legs where it slid up against something harder. For better than 1/2 off, I'll live with it.

I still have not found the blem on mine.
When I got it, the delivering agency who's name I will not disclose already had several large holes in the box so theres no way I would know IF any damage to the tripod was the blem or their handiwork.

It's a heck of a deal for something that will happen to the tripod any way, unless one keeps it as a museum piece.
I already made some adaptor plates for my various mounts to fit to tripod.
Below is the tray I made, flat top with sides to keep my stuff from falling off.
m2

Attached Files

I'm in the process of ordering a Oberwerk 100mm Binocular Tripod Pier Extension and will try to convert it for use with my Telepod or Giro 3 alt/az head. I'am hoping the extra height will allow some of my telescopes to clear the Oberwerk wooden tripod legs when pointing near zenith.

Hi Dennis, Right now its a friction fit, cut the hoops last night and stained them and slid them together for the shot. I have to put the poly on as well. Have yet to determine how I will attach the hoop to the flat. Can't give away all my secrets<G> m2

I'm in the process of ordering a Oberwerk 100mm Binocular Tripod Pier Extension and will try to convert it for use with my Telepod or Giro 3 alt/az head. I'am hoping the extra height will allow some of my telescopes to clear the Oberwerk wooden tripod legs when pointing near zenith.

How well would the 501HDV head on that tripod work as a mount for one of my larger refractors? I assume the head can be looked down. Can one point towards zenith? And if so, what adaptor would I need to hook a dovetail plate to the mount head?

How well would the 501HDV head on that tripod work as a mount for one of my larger refractors? I assume the head can be looked down. Can one point towards zenith? And if so, what adaptor would I need to hook a dovetail plate to the mount head?

Pointing towards zenith with long ota tube would require a extension or elevating type column to avoid contacting tripod legs. Bogan 475 tripod would be a good match with the 501 head. The head would have a 1/4"-20 bolt on the quick release shoe and could attach to the 1/4" threaded hole of the dovetail. May not be the best way to go with a heavy refractor.